WOLVES AND JACKALS 
breed would at once develop a new variety; a variety 
once commenced would in many generations undergo 
many changes, especially if any very well-marked variety 
should occur ; this would naturally lead to the possessors 
endeavouring to perpetuate and increase the variety, more 
especially if it were found to be of a useful quality. I 
have found no difficulty in crossing wolves or jackals with 
dogs when suitably matched, but have failed to breed 
between dogs and foxes, notwithstanding that numerous 
specimens have been from time to time brought to my 
notice of the so-called cross ; but I have never met 
with one well-authenticated instance of a liylrid dog 
and fox. 
The habits of wolves and jackals are so much alike that 
I am unable to point out any peculiarity or marked differ- 
ences. In domestic dogs many of the habits of wolves 
and jackals are frequently exhibited — the scratching up 
the ground with the front feet, and with the hind feet 
covering up the droppings, by the backward motion of the 
hind feet. The turning round two or three times before 
lying down is intended no doubt to form a hollow in the 
ground to rest upon; these peculiarities may be noticed 
in pet dogs about to rest upon the hearth-rug. The 
whining, growling, and howling of wolves, jackals, and 
dogs are so alike as to be undistinguishable, but the bark- 
ing is undoubtedly an acquired habit, and doubtless due to 
domestication. Wolves and jackals in a wild state never 
bark, neither do Esquimaux dogs nor dingos ; neverthe- 
less, if kept associated with barking dogs, they in many 
instances acquire the habit. 
A well-authenticated instance came under my observ- 
ation. A wild Antarctic wolf, after it had been in the 
Gardens a few months, heard the barking of dogs in the 
immediate neighbourhood, and the animal began to bark, 
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